Our Custom Contact Pins
Tooltronics sports production of three types of custom contacts. Our history is one of innovation and precision. Our story below.
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High Current Kelvin Contacts
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High Current PCB Mountable Contacts
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Tooltronics Innovation Showcase
In 1995 we made the decision to begin designing and manufacturing custom test sockets for the power electronics and relay industries. One of the main components, needed, was Kelvin contacts or pins. Initially, we planned to purchase them from one of the established suppliers, but after much research were unable to find a suitable candidate.
Ideally, the Kelvin contacts/pins needed three features:
Our only option was to design and manufacture the Kelvin pins we needed. For higher current we selected 0.015” thick Beryllium Copper, rather than the 0.012” thickness that most Kelvin pin suppliers offered. For precise orientation and vertical retention we designed an obround (rectangular, with a full radius at each end) shaped plastic injection molded insulator, rather than the typical round insulator found on other Kelvin pins.
The P/N LPK-100 Kelvin pins can be placed on 0.100” centers in a SIP application. The P/N LPK-125 Kelvin pins can be placed on 0.150” centers in a SIP application. Both are available for sale, or installed in custom designed test sockets.
Ideally, the Kelvin contacts/pins needed three features:
- Precise orientation of the Kelvin pin is required when used in a relay socket for hook pins, which are often rotated 30°. Contacting square or rectangular pins also requires precise orientation.
- High current is often required for power electronics test sockets.
- To be able to retain the Kelvin pin’s vertical location, without the use of epoxy or other adhesives.
Our only option was to design and manufacture the Kelvin pins we needed. For higher current we selected 0.015” thick Beryllium Copper, rather than the 0.012” thickness that most Kelvin pin suppliers offered. For precise orientation and vertical retention we designed an obround (rectangular, with a full radius at each end) shaped plastic injection molded insulator, rather than the typical round insulator found on other Kelvin pins.
The P/N LPK-100 Kelvin pins can be placed on 0.100” centers in a SIP application. The P/N LPK-125 Kelvin pins can be placed on 0.150” centers in a SIP application. Both are available for sale, or installed in custom designed test sockets.